All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje yesterday promised to reposition the platform for growth and victory in future polls.
He spoke in Abuja shortly after he was elected as the sixth chair of the 10-year-old party during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
Also endorsed as the Secretary is Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru.
Basiru was the spokesman of the ninth Senate, representing Osun West. A consummate lawyer and former Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice in Osun, Basiru holds a Ph.D. in Law.
Ganduje replaced Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, while Basiru replaced Sen. Iyiola Omisore. Both of them resigned last month.
The NEC was also empowered to fill the remaining six vacant party positions during the meeting presided over by the former acting chairman, Senator Abubakar Kyari. Kyari’s Deputy Chairman (North) position is also vacant, having been nominated for a ministerial position and screened by the Senate.
Five other positions in the National Working Committee (NWC) are vacant due to ministerial nominations and resignations.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the party leader, who attended the meeting, enjoined the leaders to support his administration in its bid to fulfil his campaign promises.
He said the policies being rolled out by his administration are not meant to punish Nigerians.
Tinubu reaffirmed that the February 25 election that brought him into office is one of the freest ever conducted in the country.
Benue State Governor Hyacint Alia urged Ganduje to work for the unity and stability of the party.
Since he assumed office on May 29, Tinubu has introduced policies that have been criticised by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP).
Some of the Federal Government’s bold policies include the unification of exchange rates and the removal of petrol subsidy, which has resulted in the high price of commodities and transportation.
Tinubu said his administration intended to tackle Nigeria’s problems “squarely” without inflicting hardship on citizens.
He said:
“We will face it squarely to re-engineer the economy of this country.
“We must find a way to satisfy the yearnings of the common man and we must ensure that all the policies we roll out work for the common man. Our policies are for the people not to punish the people.
“Yes we are facing challenges in the court, but I think this is the most credible election in Nigeria.
“So, we must congratulate ourselves. As democrats, those who cannot accept the results of a free and fair election do not deserve the joy of victory.
“There are governance issues and we are taking it heads on. We must oil the wheel and grease it and we are.
“I have submitted ministerial lists to the Senate for screening and approval. We are in the process of establishing fully the government of the people, for the people and by the people.”
Ganduje promised to promote unity and sustain the winning capacity of the party so that it can have more governors and lawmakers at the state and national levels.
He said,
“Under my watch, internal democracy will be strictly adhered to with a deliberate policy to engage in wider consultations and make party functional throughout the year.
“More reforms will be carried out in the party in alignment with the current political landscape.
“We all agreed that we must unite our members to achieve support for our government to respond adequately, urgently and assertively to the challenges that Nigerians confront daily.
“The challenges include unemployment, poverty, insecurity, social cohesion and the rising cost of living.
“I want to make a special appeal to Nigerians to bear with the President at this trying moment, considering that the country’s economy has been in shambles for years.
“I believe the policies and programmes to be unveiled by Mr President when his administration fully takes shape will surely turn around things for the better.
“Our party must remain rooted among the people, must demonstrate a willingness to serve and make sacrifices, and must be willing to acknowledge and address our weaknesses.”
Reiterating his readiness for effective leadership, Ganduje said,
“It’s a huge privilege and an honour and a great responsibility to take on this job and I will do it with everything I have to the best of my ability for my party and my country.
“We will ensure a level playing field for all party members who want to contest elections on the party’s platform. Our primary elections would be free, transparent and fair.
“Let me also use this opportunity to call on members of our party and all the people of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states to close ranks and ensure that the APC wins in the forthcoming governorship elections.”
